New to the group

May 24, 2004

I'm sorry you had to join, but you came to the right place to hang out and just be normal.

LOLOLOLOL! Whats That?????????/ ( normal!)

Debbie

"Remember The Past, Live The Present, Look To The Future."

May 24, 2004

HI, Sassy, welcome. Why don't you take a break and let all the info sink in? It can be overwhelming trying to absorb so much so fast. Give your family time to adjust to the info too, it's hard on them too, because they usually don't understand.

De

Faith is the ability to not panic.

-----Original Message-----From: Sassy Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 5:55 AMTo: HepatitisCSupportGroupForDummies Subject: new to the groupHi,Wandering trough the maze of information and stuff and recently diagnosed - or should I say re-diagnosed. Was first diagnosed as having the antigens for hep c about 10 years ago and listend to the doctor when he said I didn't have the virus in my system and had nothing to worry about and beeng young and nieve I trusted him. Well after some home work and resarch I changed doctors and told the new one about the previouse test. He re did it and and confirmed I have the virus. I just had a biopsy and will start treament soon. Right now I am in information overload from wandering the net and just looking for real live people to talk to that wont freek out at the word Hepatitis. Last few weeks I have lost some good "friend" and have a family member that won't even acknoledge the fact I'm sick and wont even talk to me. And i have also made some new friends who understand and will stick it out with me. So far my liver function tests have come back normal and so have the sonogram. I'm wating on the biopsy results now. The specialist says I was lucky to start making noise and double check because I don't show signs of the advanced desease and have a good chance of responding to treatment. That would be about the short verson of all about me.

February 10, 2005

Hi Sherry , here is an article with alot of good information on it . And there

is also a link to a fantastic site that helped me get my disablity . It only

took me 3months to get approved and I like to think it was because of the

information I found at this site , anyway here is an article and then the link

to another at the bottom . My yahoo is the same ...elizabethnv1

Winning Your Social Security Disability Claim: 15 Mistakes You Cannot Afford to

Make! by E. , Esq. and M. , Esq.

This article reprinted with permissions from the Hep C Connection in Denver

Colorado. Although written with the US population in mind, the issues raised

below apply equally to filing for disability in Canada. In Canada, however,

there is a network of community advocates, paralegals and legal aid lawyers in

place who will represent you for free if your finances are limited.

Mistake #1: Assuming that what SSA tells you is true.

Unfortunately, some of the advice that Social Security Administration (SSA)

employees provide to the public is incorrect. So if you aren't happy with what

SSA told you over the telephone, you'll be glad to know it may not be correct.

The problem is, many people don't file a disability claim for years (and go

without benefits they deserve) simply because an SSA employee gave them bad

information.

Advice: Don't give up on your claim until after you have reviewed your case with

a disability lawyer. Disability lawyers know more about the law than SSA

employees and will give you correct information.

Mistake #2: Assuming the Social Security Administration will approve your claim.

Many people believe that because they have paid into SSA, their claim should

easily be approved when they apply for disability benefits. Many people believe

it's just a matter of filling out the forms and going through the process. But

this isn't true. SSA denies 70 to 75% of first-time claims. SSA denies 82% of

claims that are appealed for Reconsideration. However, the good news is that

when cases are heard before judges, nationwide over half (53%) are approved.

Advice: Appeal every denial within 60 days of receipt. Build a strong case by

understanding what information Social Security requires. Make sure to present

your case properly.

Mistake #3: Assuming the disability forms you fill out will win your case.

Usually they will not. Claimants hurt their case by overstating what they can

do. In most cases, SSA and judges rely heavily on medical records as well as

your doctor, psychiatrist, and/or psychologist's opinion about your ability to

work full-time. If the judge isn't happy with you, if he doesn't believe what

you're saying, or if he is looking for a reason to deny your claim, he may look

for inconsistencies in answers you provided earlier on the forms. For example,

if you answer one way on the form and testify at a hearing to something else,

the judge may use the answer on the form to undermine your credibility and

support a denial of your claim.

Advice: When completing the forms, be honest, accurate, and brief! You should

always answer the question in the space provided--do not attach additional

sheets of paper or write in the margins. Also, it is important to assume you are

back working full-time on a sustained basis (8 hours per day, 5 days per week)

when answering questions about what you are capable of doing.

Mistake #4: Assuming that your medical and/or psychological symptoms will be

enough for the judge to approve your claim.

Not true. You need detailed medical records, which document your symptoms and

limitations and specific opinions from your doctor, psychiatrist, and/or

psychologist if you hope to win your case. Their opinions will only be given

weight by the judge if you have received continuous and consistent medical

treatment. If you are not meeting regularly with your doctor, you are

jeopardizing your case!

Advice: It is critical that you receive continuous and consistent medical

treatment and care so you can provide SSA and a judge with current and complete

medical records which support your doctors' opinions.

Mistake #5: Assuming your diagnosis will win your claim.

It won't. It's true that SSA needs a diagnosis. But SSA also needs medical proof

that your diagnosis causes limitations that are so significant and severe that

they preclude your ability to work full-time on a sustained basis.

Advice: Disability cases are won based on your limitations, not your symptoms.

Make sure you provide detailed medical records from your doctor that reflect

your symptoms, the diagnosis, and your limitations.

Mistake #6: Assuming SSA will be persuaded by any type of medical treatment you

choose.

It will not. You can choose any alternative therapies and holistic treatments

you desire. After all, you should do whatever it takes to try to get better.

However, be aware that SSA and judges are most persuaded by mainstream doctors

(M.D., D.O., and psychologists) and how you respond or fail to respond to

mainstream treatment. If you are not taking medications or are not receiving

mainstream treatment by a mainstream doctor, you may be jeopardizing your claim.

Advice: To win your claim, try to exhaust every medical treatment your

mainstream doctors recommend, so you can prove that in spite of doing so, you

continue to be unable to work full-time on a sustained basis.

Mistake #7: Assuming your family doctor's opinion is the only one you need.

This may not be a good choice depending upon your diagnosis. If your diagnosis

is usually made and treated by a specialist (M.D., D.O., Ph.D.), you should

treat with both a board certified specialist and your family practitioner. From

a legal standpoint, you want to show the judge your diagnosis is correct and

that you are receiving the best possible medical care. You have a stronger case

when your doctor is a specialist who is skilled and experienced at treating

people who have your condition. Social Security law generally gives more weight

to the opinions of a specialist than a general practitioner. As a result, SSA

and the judge will look more closely at the credentials of the doctor who is

providing the opinion.

Advice: Get your medical treatment from a specialist because the more skill and

experience your doctor has, the more likely you are to win your claim. Note: If

you are a member of an HMO and they will not allow you to go to a specialist,

consult with your disability lawyer, who can help you get appropriate treatment.

Mistake #8: Assuming your doctor will support your claim for disability

benefits.

He may not. Some doctors refuse to help patients with their disability claims.

Many doctors do not know SSA's definition of disability and believe that one has

to be bedridden to qualify. In general, doctors are very conservative in their

opinion about a patient's ability to work. Because SSA and a judge will want to

know if your doctor supports your claim, it is critical you know the same

information! After you have established a relationship with your doctor you

should discuss with them the fact that you have filed a claim for disability.

Ask if they will support your claim, and if they will not, you should consider

finding another doctor because their opinion is not likely to change! It is

critical your doctor supports your inability to work full time on a sustained

basis!

Advice: As soon as practicable, you should learn whether your doctor supports

your disability claim. If not, consider finding a more compassionate doctor who

will. One place to find a referral is to attend a local support group for

individuals who share your diagnosis.

Mistake #9: Assuming you have to go to SSA's doctor for a medical examination.

Often, SSA wants to a claimant to go a disability examination with a

doctor/psychiatrist/psychologist it chooses. Unfortunately, the doctor is not

really " independent " and probably performs many of these examinations for SSA

each month. In my experience, the majority of the time the doctor will conclude

you are not disabled and can return to work. Once this opinion is included in

your file SSA and a judge will have sufficient evidence to deny your claim.

Here's the good news: SSA rules allow your doctor to perform the disability exam

and SSA should pay for all or at least part of it. Naturally, if your doctor

supports your disability claim he will probably conclude your condition

precludes your ability to work. Once your doctor's exam report is in your file

with a conclusion that you are disabled, SSA and a judge may have sufficient

medical information to approve your claim.

Advice: This strategy is only possible if you are certain your doctor supports

your claim and is willing to do the examination. If you do not have a doctor, or

your doctor will not perform the examination, you must go to SSA's doctor or

risk having your claim denied or closed out. This strategy really should only be

employed by a disability lawyer because complex regulations are involved and

must be complied with.

Mistake #10: Assuming an entire year has to pass before you can file a

disability claim.

Not true. SSA law requires that before you can be approved one of the following

must be true: (1) you have already been disabled and out of work for one year,

or (2) your doctors expect that you will be unable to work for a minimum of one

year from the date you last worked, or (3) your medical condition is expected to

result in death. Too many people have told me that an SSA employee said they

could not file a claim until one year had passed since they last worked. This

information is totally incorrect and if followed, will almost certainly cost you

disability benefits and medical insurance!

Advice: Apply for disability benefits as soon as you or your doctors believe

your medical and/or psychological condition will preclude you from working for

at least one year. Waiting to file will only cost you benefits that you may not

be able to recover.

Mistake #11: Assuming that if you lose before a judge at a hearing, you can

simply file another claim.

When you have a hearing before a SSA judge, you do not want to lose. This is

because, practically speaking, your best chance at winning is at your first

hearing before a judge. True, you can file a second application if you lose at a

hearing; however, the second time you go through the process, SSA and a judge

will know your first claim was denied. In my opinion, this may have a

detrimental effect on your second claim as the second judge will know.

Advice: Make sure your case is properly prepared so you can present your

strongest case at the first hearing.

Mistake #12: Assuming you can handle your case without a disability lawyer.

Most people can't. SSA disability laws are complex, even many lawyers do not

understand them. To win your claim, you need to very carefully prepare your case

from the very beginning. In addition, it is critical to understand what you need

to prove legally in order to win your case; if you do not know what you need to

prove, why would you risk going before SSA or a judge without knowing how to win

your case? The fact that you and your doctor agree you are disabled is not

enough to win your case.

Advice: Retain only an experienced disability lawyer. They will help build your

case, develop a case strategy, obtain a complete set of your medical records and

critical opinions from your doctor that will maximize your chances of success.

More often than not, your doctor will not be familiar with the stringent

criteria that SSA and a judge will utilize in determining whether you meet their

definition of disability.

Mistake #13: Assuming any lawyer can help you win your claim.

Not true. You want a disability lawyer who is familiar with SSA laws and

regulations. Similar to doctors, attorneys generally specialize in a certain

area of the law. You wouldn't go to a dentist for a physical examination, so do

not pick just " any " attorney to represent you in your disability claim.

Advice: Choose a disability lawyer who's practice is dedicated to representing

clients because your odds of winning will increase. A seasoned disability

attorney will understand the strategy and tactics that are crucial to helping

you win your claim.

Mistake #14: Assuming you should not hire a lawyer until your case has initially

been denied.

Not true. You can hire a lawyer any time you wish. Unfortunately, many employees

at SSA will tell you that it is not necessary to hire an attorney until you have

been initially denied. Following this advice could be fatal to your claim! Why?

Because in general, SSA will begin preparing a case against you from the day you

file your application!

Advice: You should consult with and/or hire a disability attorney as soon as

possible after you file your application. The attorney can explain how the

process really works and lay the proper foundation for your case by developing a

case strategy. The attorney can also guide your case through the myriad of rules

and regulations that are certain to have an effect on your entitlement to

benefits.

Mistake #15: Assuming that you cannot afford a lawyer.

Not true. In almost every case, you will only pay the attorney a fee if and when

you have won your case and received benefits. SSA law limits the amount of money

your lawyer can earn from your disability claim. Generally, by the time you win

your claim you will have accrued back benefits. The law mandates the fee can

only be 25% of your past benefits and is capped at $4,000. In other words, if

your back benefits total $1,000.00, the attorney's fee would be $250.00. The law

does not allow your lawyer to charge a fee on your future benefits.

What may be at stake? By way of example, assume a claimant is 45 years old and

their monthly disability benefit is $1,000.00. If the person never returns to

work before age 65, their disability benefits would total $240,000.00! This

amount does not include the value of the lifetime health insurance they would

also receive through Medicare or Medicaid

this is a link to another site which helped me get my claim :

http://heppie2000.tripod.com/index-3.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

February 11, 2005

Welcome to the group..good folks, good info...

good luck with your 12 wk testing..slay that dragon!!!

we all are trying, too..be well, Judi

In a message dated 2/11/2005 1:05:01 A.M. Central Standard Time,

sherrymichelle1@... writes:

Hi everyone. I am in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Am a div mom of 2. I have

HCV, genotype 1B, stage 2, grade 2 and 3. Am on week 16 of

introfer/rib. Am in clinical trails so not sure about dosage of

introfer. I go back to Duke next week to find out about week 12

results. I have gotten pneuomia and am still trying to recouperate

from it. I am curious to talk to ppl who have applied or have won

their disablity claim. How hard is it to win this claim? I am going

to try to apply for disablilty, any suggestions anyone? I chat on

yahooIM under the same name. Just be sure to tell me where you know

me from, I may put you on ignore otherwise, lol.. dued to all the hmm

how should I say it, the wise azzes, I have to use ignore alot on

yahoo IM. Take care all, hope to chat with some of you soon. Keep

fighitng the dragon, I intend to slay it!!! Sherrymichelle1

February 17, 2005

Hi,

I'm also new to the group. I recently completed the 1st twelve weeks

of combo therapy. My viral count dropped from 1,400,000 to

< 10,000. So far, so good. Keep the faith and I hope all goes well.

>

> Welcome to the group..good folks, good info...

> good luck with your 12 wk testing..slay that dragon!!!

> we all are trying, too..be well, Judi

>

> In a message dated 2/11/2005 1:05:01 A.M. Central Standard Time,

> sherrymichelle1@h... writes:

>

> Hi everyone. I am in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Am a div mom of 2. I have

> HCV, genotype 1B, stage 2, grade 2 and 3. Am on week 16 of

> introfer/rib. Am in clinical trails so not sure about dosage of

> introfer. I go back to Duke next week to find out about week 12

> results. I have gotten pneuomia and am still trying to recouperate

> from it. I am curious to talk to ppl who have applied or have won

> their disablity claim. How hard is it to win this claim? I am

going

> to try to apply for disablilty, any suggestions anyone? I chat on

> yahooIM under the same name. Just be sure to tell me where you

know

> me from, I may put you on ignore otherwise, lol.. dued to all the

hmm

> how should I say it, the wise azzes, I have to use ignore alot on

> yahoo IM. Take care all, hope to chat with some of you soon. Keep

> fighitng the dragon, I intend to slay it!!! Sherrymichelle1

>

February 18, 2005

Hi Sherry,

Sorry I missed you in the chat. But tomorrow is another day. I'm on

yahoo as michaelg618. On thing I am invisible to messengers so let

me know by email and I will turn it off. Or I can go to hepcnet.net

also. I'm on MSN as trime1234. I'm on AOL as fredg173. So get me out

of bed and chat .

Fred

Thks for the info.. HEPCNET.net go to chat there --- In

Hepatitis_C_Central , " trimenow1234

February 1, 2006

No problem , and welcome to the group .

New to the group

Hello all,First I need to thank the mod for letting me join the group. My name is Tim and I live in Central Texas with my Wife (Marie). My Hep C story….In 1998 I was in a local and my GF at the time talked me into giving blood. Around 2 months later I get a post card from the Red Cross letting me know that my blood was found to be POS with Hep C. WOW what a day that was…. I did not want to face it so I just did nothing. I read some articles and all I saw was that I was given a death sentence.Time went on and I moved California in Sept 1999. In early 2001 I decided to see a DR . I went to the VA in San Francisco, CA where my I found out I had type 3a with a VL of 243.000 I was new to all this but now I understand my VL was very low.A few months later I had a liver Biopsy, the results were good with no signs of any damage. This was a good day!!My DR. at the VA and I decided not to treat but to just watch. So every 6 months I went in for blood test. My VL decreased to where it is presently @ 160,000 I now had to switch DR's as I moved back to Central Texas. During my last 2 years in California I met the most wonderful woman in the world. Marie accepted my proposal and is now my Wife… Things I love to do is Dancing, building Hot Rods and swimming. I love to star watch in our Hot Tub with the wife next to me.. Here is a link to my online photo album http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?tflynn

February 1, 2006

No problem , and welcome to the group .

New to the group

Hello all,First I need to thank the mod for letting me join the group. My name is Tim and I live in Central Texas with my Wife (Marie). My Hep C story….In 1998 I was in a local and my GF at the time talked me into giving blood. Around 2 months later I get a post card from the Red Cross letting me know that my blood was found to be POS with Hep C. WOW what a day that was…. I did not want to face it so I just did nothing. I read some articles and all I saw was that I was given a death sentence.Time went on and I moved California in Sept 1999. In early 2001 I decided to see a DR . I went to the VA in San Francisco, CA where my I found out I had type 3a with a VL of 243.000 I was new to all this but now I understand my VL was very low.A few months later I had a liver Biopsy, the results were good with no signs of any damage. This was a good day!!My DR. at the VA and I decided not to treat but to just watch. So every 6 months I went in for blood test. My VL decreased to where it is presently @ 160,000 I now had to switch DR's as I moved back to Central Texas. During my last 2 years in California I met the most wonderful woman in the world. Marie accepted my proposal and is now my Wife… Things I love to do is Dancing, building Hot Rods and swimming. I love to star watch in our Hot Tub with the wife next to me.. Here is a link to my online photo album http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?tflynn

February 1, 2006

Thanks for the welcome.... I belive I got it from Air shots from

when I joined the military or at some time durring my 20 years of

service from the same. I know I did not get it from the most common

cause as I have never done any drugs with the exception of some pot

smoking in my high school days back in the early 70's oops I'm

dating myself now.(grin) I'm also hoping that they come up with

somthing better then they hjave right now, My Dr.seems to think my

body is flushing the virus out on its own. I have never herd of this

from any lituture I have red but I will keep a close eye on it to

insure it does not make a ture for the worse. I was recently

diagonsed with diabetes and take 2 injections daily to keep my blood

sugar in check.

Some time ago I belonged to some Hep C groups on delphi, what a

paton place that was. I sure hope this groupe is nothing like the

one that kept me away from support groups for the last 2 years.

As far as the 37 Dodge Brothers Pickup, I just love it... I have

been building it since 2001. Marie and I lot of Car shows durring

the summer and have met a tons of great people.

I'm retired for the second time so I have lots of time on my

hands... I keep planty of projects going on around the house to keep

me busy..

Tim

> Hello all,

>

> First I need to thank the mod for letting me join the group.

>

> My name is Tim and I live in Central Texas with my Wife (Marie).

>

> My Hep C story?

>

> In 1998 I was in a local and my GF at the time talked me into

giving

> blood. Around 2 months later I get a post card from the Red Cross

> letting me know that my blood was found to be POS with Hep C. WOW

> what a day that was? I did not want to face it so I just did

> nothing. I read some articles and all I saw was that I was given a

> death sentence.

> Time went on and I moved California in Sept 1999. In early 2001 I

> decided to see a DR . I went to the VA in San Francisco, CA where

my

> I found out I had type 3a with a VL of 243.000 I was new to all

this

> but now I understand my VL was very low.

>

> A few months later I had a liver Biopsy, the results were good

with

> no signs of any damage. This was a good day!!

>

> My DR. at the VA and I decided not to treat but to just watch. So

> every 6 months I went in for blood test. My VL decreased to where

it

> is presently @ 160,000 I now had to switch DR's as I moved back to

> Central Texas.

>

> During my last 2 years in California I met the most wonderful

woman

> in the world. Marie accepted my proposal and is now my Wife?

>

> Things I love to do is Dancing, building Hot Rods and swimming. I

> love to star watch in our Hot Tub with the wife next to me..

>

> Here is a link to my online photo album

>

> http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?tflynn

>

> It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope you

have found the support you need with us.

>

> If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our

group, just click the link--

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hepatitis_C_Central/

>

> Happy Posting

>

February 1, 2006